If you pine for India Pale Ale and mumble on and on about malt, mark your calendar for the third week of February for Arizona Beer Week and the 11th Annual Strong Beer Festival.
The annual homage to one of our favorite beverages rises to another level as area craft producers vie to out-brew each other. Arizona is home to more than 20 brewers, which includes just about every corner of the state. Many you recognize, such as Valley standouts Four Peaks, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch and BJ’s Brewhouse. Others you don’t like Thunder Canyon, Mother Road and Old Bisbee, boutique producers brewing some truly delicious and Arizona-centric beers. All are crafting unique beers just for Beer Week.
Festivities kick off with the Strong Beer Festival 1-5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Steele Indian School Park, Third Street and Indian School in Phoenix. General admission tickets are $40 at the gate or discounted if you purchase in advance. Designated drivers pay just $10. Learn more about the beer-making process and sample the best of Arizona brews in one sitting.
Each brewer also is hosting its own events or in conjunction with area bars and restaurants. For a complete listing of events, click here to visit the Arizona Beer Week website. For more information about the Strong Beer Festival and the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, click here. Cheers!
Contact Drinks Editor Mark Nothaft via e-mail and click here and follow him on Twitter. Subscribe to his frequent columns on Examiner and click here.
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